Be Prepared and View the 2017 Eclipse ... Safely

All of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun Monday, Aug. 21. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina.

Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk. NASA created this website to provide a guide to this amazing event. Here you will find activities, events, broadcasts, and resources from NASA and our partners across the nation.

Stephens County will be a prime viewing area for the Great American Eclipse on Monday, Aug. 1, and the County Commissioners have issued some important information regarding the eclipse.

Have all vehicles filled with fuel to avoid shortages and long lines

Avoid state highways that may become congested

Plan to limit driving between Aug. 18 and Aug. 22

If you must travel, have drinking water with you in case you become stranded.

Buy foor and water in advance

Have a backup communication plan for family and work associates in case cell phone service is overloaded.

Check on the elderly to be sure they have all their needs

Check your medication supply before the eclipse

Supervise children and take care of pets that may become frightened or agitated by the eclipse

Have appropriate eye protection for viewing from a reputable sourc (see below)

According to space.com, the path of totality for the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse is about 70 miles wide and stretches from Oregon to South Carolina. It passes through Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

You can also check out a state-by-state guide at Space.com to find out which major cities and prime locations will fall inside the path of totality. You may also want to attend one of the many eclipse parties and organized events taking place around the path of totality.

When will the total solar eclipse occur, and how long will it last?

The timing of the total solar eclipse and its duration both depend on where you are inside the path of totality.

At most, the moon will completely cover the disk of the sun for 2 minutes and 40 seconds. That's about how long totality will last for observers positioned anywhere along the center of the path of totality. As you move toward the edge of the path, the duration of totality will decrease. People standing at the very edge of the path may observe totality for only a few seconds.

What about eye protection?

The following telescope and solar-filter companies manufacture and/or sell eclipse glasses (sometimes called eclipse shades) and/or handheld solar viewers that have been verified by an accredited testing laboratory to meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for such products. They are listed in alphabetical order; those with an asterisk (*) are based outside the United States.